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Interspecific facilitation and niche differentiation increase resource use efficiency. (a) Differences in plant height and light requirement increase light interception and use efficiency. (b) Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) of legumes reduces the nitrogen fertilizer input. (c) Root exudates of legumes increase the uptake of insoluble nutrients. (d) Root exudates from maize enhance faba bean nodulation and increase dinitrogen fixation. (e) Nitrogen transfer through root exudation, root decomposition and mycorrhizal fungal networks. (f) Differences in root distribution result in spatial complementarity.
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• Intercropping is a useful practice when agricultural sustainability is emphasized.
• We integrate biodiversity-ecosystem functioning and intercropping.
• Intercropping optimizes ecosystem services such as stabilizing yield and reducing use of chemicals.
• Intercropping benefits are attributed partly to complementarity and selection effe...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... for overyielding of agroecosystems. In addition to niche complementarity, interspecific facilitation, via increasing nitrogen, phosphorus and micronutrient use efficiency, also has an important role in intercropping (Fig. 2). Here, we introduce the biodiversity effects of intercropping in terms of interspecific facilitation and niche differences (Fig. ...
Context 2
... increased crop cover and reduced soil moisture evaporation [84] . Pea-maize intercropping systems are widely used in northwest China, with intercropping increasing the WUE of maize but decreasing that of pea, and the effect of intercropping on WUE depends on the row arrangement of the intercropping system and shows high variability [15] (Fig. ...
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... dinitrogen fixation is an efficient source of nitrogen for sustainable agricultural production (Fig. 3(b,e)). Biologically fixed nitrogen in legumes can be transferred to adjacent cereal Fig. 2 The mechanisms of complementarity effects and selection effects driving overyielding in ...
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... series of experiments shows that maize root exudates induce significant upregulation of expression of CFI, NODL4, GH3.1, ENODL2, FixI and ENOD93 genes in faba bean roots, facilitating the nodulation of faba bean ( Fig. 3(d)) [75] . These results indicate that N facilitative interactions provide a potential explanation for a positive relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem ...
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... different intercrops under homogeneous or heterogeneous P distribution, localized P application or faba bean exudation increased P availability and increased shoot growth in maize in the maize-faba bean mixture [90] . Mobilization of sparingly soluble P by legumes benefited neighboring plants and increased P use efficiency with low-P fertilizers (Fig. ...
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... content and HCl-extractable Fe concentrations in maize-peanut intercropping and the improved Fe nutrition of peanut in intercropping was mainly due to rhizosphere interactions between peanut and maize [91] . Recent advances have also demonstrated that peanut can take up Fe chelated by plant Fe-carriers and improve their Fe nutrition [92] ( Fig. 3(c)). In chickpea-wheat intercropping, interspecific interactions increased the Fe contents in wheat and chickpea seeds by 1.26 and 1.21 times, and Zn concentration in chickpea seed by 2.82 times compared with monoculture. Improved Fe and Zn nutrition were also observed in guava (Psidium guajava)-sorghum or maize intercropping [93] ...
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... is a limiting resource affecting many ecological processes in agroecosystems. Greater interception of solar radiation and higher use efficiency of light result in greater productivity in intercropping [99] (Fig. 3(a)). The dominant plant species (intercropped maize) had a similar radiation use efficiency (RUE) to monocultures, but the subordinate plant species (legumes) had greater RUE in intercropping than in monocultures, thus intercropping had greater RUE than monocultures and this may account for the yield advantage of intercropping [100] . ...
Context 8
... length density and lateral root distribution under different N application regimes, while lateral root distribution of intercropped maize was less sensitive to N application regime [16] . High morphological plasticity of crop roots drives below-ground spatial niche complementarity and increases resource use efficiency of intercropping systems (Fig. ...
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Citations
... Agronomy 2024, 14, 1220 3 of 29 advantages, is convenient for mechanical operation, can make full use of water, fertilizer, light, heat, and other resources, and doubles the crop yield per unit area. It is in line with the goals of "high yield, mechanization and sustainability" of modern agriculture [24]. Soybean, an important oil crop, protein source, and animal feed raw material, occupies a key position in China's grain security [25]. ...
Abundant light and heat in the Hexi Oasis Irrigation Area in China provide superior natural conditions for agricultural development. To study the maize–soybean planting system of intercropping and determine superior group yield and economic benefits in the Hexi Oasis Irrigation Area, eight treatments were set up in 2022–2023: maize–soybean intercropping with a bandwidth of 1.8 m and a row ratio of 2:3 (M1S3), a bandwidth of 1.8 m and a row ratio of 2:4 (M1S4), a bandwidth of 2.0 m and a row ratio of 2:3 (M2S3), a bandwidth of 2.0 m and a row ratio of 2:4 (M2S4), a bandwidth of 2.2 m and a row ratio of 2:3 (M3S3), a bandwidth of 2.2 m and a row ratio of 2:4 (M3S4), monocropping maize (M), and monocropping soybean (S). We analyzed the effects of changes in bandwidth–row ratios on photosynthetic characteristics, yield, and interspecific relationships in these treatments during two crop reproductive periods. Our results showed the following: (1) Under the intercropping system, the photosynthetic capacity of maize was highest when the row ratio was 2∶3 and bandwidth was 1.8 m. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn) increased by 1.72% to 48.90%, the transpiration rate (Tr) increased by 5.53% to 118.10%, and stomatal conductance (Gs) increased by 2.82% to 86.49% compared with other planting systems. Increasing the bandwidth from 1.8 m to 2.2 m improved the photosynthetic characteristics of soybean, increasing Pn, Tr, and Gs by 3.44% to 74.21%, 3.92% to 53.69%, and 2.41% to 55.22%, respectively. (2) The yield of maize and soybean under monocropping was significantly higher than that under intercropping. In the intercropping treatments, the average yield of crops in the M3S3 system was 16,519.4 kg ha−1, an increase of 6.48% compared with the M3S4 system, indicating that the reduction of one row of soybean in the same bandwidth system increases crop yield; The average economic benefit of the M3S3 system over two years was 35,171.73 CNY ha−1, which increased by 13.3 and 80% compared with the average economic benefit of maize and soybean monocropping, indicating that the intercropping system leads to better economic results for farmers than monocropping. (3) In the two-year experiment, the land equivalent ratio (LER) was highest in the M3S3 model, averaging 1.25 over the two years, showing better land productivity compared with other intercropping systems. (4) When bandwidth was 1.8, 2.0, or 2.2 m, the LER decreased by 8.3, 5.9, and 5.6% when planting an additional row of soybeans, the relative crowding coefficient of soybeans in the respective bandwidths increased by 4.59, 4.72, and 0.75%, the competition ratio of maize (CRM) increased by 22.94, 16.97, and 12.74%, the competition ratio of soybean (CRS) decreased by 20.47, 17.61, and 16.78%, and the competitive power of maize was greater than that of soybean, indicating that the increase in soybean rows in the same bandwidth system would weaken the competitive advantage of soybean, resulting in crop yield and economic benefit reduction. When the row ratio was 2:3 or 2:4, bandwidth increased from 1.8 m to 2.2 m, LER decreased by 3.31 and 0.86%, intercropping maize aggressiveness (AM) decreased by 7.55 and 12.50%, CRM decreased by 18.04 and 24.84%, and CRS increased by 17.32 and 22.77%, respectively, which indicated that the increase in bandwidth under different row ratio systems could improve the competitive advantage of intercropping soybean, thereby improving crop yield and economic benefits. (5) The AHP method, entropy weight method, and TOPSIS analysis showed that M3S3 ranked first, with the highest comprehensive evaluation (0.6017). In conclusion, the M3S3 planting system can better coordinate crop interspecies relationships, with higher land yield and economic benefit, and can be used as a suitable maize–soybean intercropping system in the Hexi oasis irrigation area.
... Inter-cropping, green manure, application of animal manure, and nano-agriculture are widely used to improve the ecological functions of cropping systems (Wezel et al., 2014;Behl et al., 2022). In China, inter-cropping systems play a key role in ensuring food and nutrient availability and increasing farm income (Ahoyo et al., 2007;Hao et al., 2021). Inter-cropping is recognized as one of the global sustainable agricultural practices because of its advantages such as improved soil quality and crop yield (Tang et al., 2021). ...
Intercropping systems can improve soil fertility and health, however, soil microbial communities and functional genes related to carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling under the intercropping system of mesquite and perilla have not been studied. Therefore, in the present study, different planting densities and varieties of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt and kiwifruit were used for intercropping, and changes in soil microbial communities and carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling genes in kiwifruit inter-roots under inter-cropping conditions were investigated by macro-genome sequencing technology. The results showed that intercropping with Perill caused a decrease in most soil nutrients, soil enzyme activities, and had a significant impact on the microbial (bacteria and fungi) diversity. Inter-cropping increased the relative abundance of the dominant bacterial phylum “Proteobacteria” and “Actinobacteria” by 47 and 57%, respectively, but decreased the relative abundance of the dominant fungal phylum “Chordata” and “Streptophyta” by 11 and 20%, respectively, in the inter-root soil of kiwifruit, and had a significant impact on the microbial (bacteria and fungi) diversity. In addition, inter-cropping could greatly increase the inter-root soil carbon sequestration (PccA, korA/B/C/D, fhs, and rbcl/s), carbon degradation (abfD), organic nitrogen mineralization (GDH2), denitrification (napA/B, nirB, norB), organic phosphorus mineralization (phop, phn), and inorganic phosphorus solubilization (gcd, ppk) gene abundance. The gene co-occurrence network indicated that soil korB, nirB, and gnd key functional genes for carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling in kiwifruit inter-root soils and their expression was up-regulated in the inter-cropping group. Structural equation (SEM) further showed that soil total nitrogen, organic matter, total carbon and acid phosphatase had significant effects on microbial diversity (p < 0.05) and soil carbon cycling gene korB and phosphorus cycling gene purH (p < 0.001), while korB and purH had positive effects on kiwifruit quality. In conclusion, intercropping perilla in kiwifruit orchards changed the structure of bacterial and fungal communities in the inter-root soil of kiwifruit, but I believe that intercropping perilla stimulates carbon degradation, leading to carbon emission and serious loss of soil nutrients, and that prolonged intercropping may adversely affect the quality of kiwifruit, and thus its limitations should be noted in future studies.
... Analytic generalization is suitable for the case study research method. If a case or more cases validate the same theory, replication can be claimed and researchers are concerned with replication logic and theory rather than the sampling logic (Yin, 2009) [32] . The present study adopted the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) and Benefit-cost ratio for interpretation and analytic generalization of results. ...
... In spite of weather challenges of unforeseen weather conditions, the farmer's income was not drastically affected due to the presence of other crops in the field. Intercropping of more than two crops is one of the most promising cultivation practice systems for smallholder farmers due to the shortage of land, and the practice safeguards the evading of risks associated with complete crop failure (Hong et al., 2020;Yang et al., 2021;Rongpharpi et al., 2022) [13,32,25] . From a nutritional point of view, gourd vegetables are pretty valuable as they contain significant minerals and nutrients (Azid and Ishak 2018; Agata and Beata 2020; Ahmad et al., 2022) [5,1,2] . ...
... In spite of weather challenges of unforeseen weather conditions, the farmer's income was not drastically affected due to the presence of other crops in the field. Intercropping of more than two crops is one of the most promising cultivation practice systems for smallholder farmers due to the shortage of land, and the practice safeguards the evading of risks associated with complete crop failure (Hong et al., 2020;Yang et al., 2021;Rongpharpi et al., 2022) [13,32,25] . From a nutritional point of view, gourd vegetables are pretty valuable as they contain significant minerals and nutrients (Azid and Ishak 2018; Agata and Beata 2020; Ahmad et al., 2022) [5,1,2] . ...
... A large number of case studies and reviews have shown that interspecific competition and facilitation of resources (e.g. N and P nutrient), and spatial and temporal niche complementarity drive enhanced ecosystem functions in diversified cropping systems (Bedoussac et al. 2015;Brooker et al. 2015;Homulle et al. 2022;Li et al. 2014;Yang et al. 2021;Yu et al. 2022). Belowground niche complementarity or facilitative root interactions enable polyculture systems to yield more than their corresponding monocultures (Brooker et al. 2015), while the role of complementary root growth strategies in diversified cropping systems on mitigating and adapting to hostile soils has not been comprehensively synthesized. ...
Hostile soil conditions have a global impact on crop production. While root traits of individual plant species adapted to specific hostile soils are well studied, a comprehensive synthesis of how to use diversified cropping systems with complementary root growth strategies to adapt to and remediate hostile soils is lacking.
We begin by providing definitions, categorizations, and global distribution of hostile soils, followed by a synthesis of recent advances in below-ground niche complementarity or facilitative root interactions among crop species in diverse cropping systems across various hostile soils. Lastly, we highlight the significance of cultivating a robust understanding of root adaptations for crop diversification in hostile soils for future research.
Diversified cropping systems that incorporate complementary root growth strategies can efficiently utilize nutrients and mitigate abiotic stress in hostile soils, such as nutrient deficiency, aridity, and waterlogging conditions. Furthermore, intercropping hyperaccumulator plants or halophytes with crops is effective in reducing metal or salt accumulation in target crops grown in contaminated or saline-alkali soils, respectively. Cover crops could create biopores for succeeding crop roots in compacted soils, while diversified cropping systems aid in preventing additional soil erosion in eroded areas. Leveraging diverse root traits can also contribute to the suppression of soil‑borne diseases and pests within intercropping setups. Enhancing diversified cropping systems necessitates the application of novel methods and technologies for root studies. This multifaceted approach is crucial for sustaining yield under the challenges posed by multiple hostile soil conditions, especially within the context of climate change.
... Intercropping is believed to increase the different types of above and below-ground flora and fauna of various taxa in the field level, consequently enhancing ecosystem services [19]. The land use efficiency is improved with the utilization of two or more crops simultaneously in a piece of land, thereby increasing the microbial growth and microbe activity in soil [20,21]. ...
The present-day agriculture is facing a tremendous problem in achieving the global food security in the context of the climate change scenario with ever-increasing human population. To combat with the situation, there is an urgent need to adopt proven improved technologies that can ensure food and nutritional security as well as agricultural sustainability. In this regard, adoption of appropriate cropping system can play a vital role. The age-old practice of intercropping system has multifaceted benefits for the enhancement of gross productivity and farm income under a given time. Most of the earlier studies focused to assess the benefits of an intercropping system in the light of yield enhancement and monetary advantages spatially and temporally. Moreover, recent studies highlighted other advantages such as greater ecosystem services, efficient utilization of solar radiation and CO2, enhancement of water, and nutrient use efficiency in the mixed stand, However, in the current consequence of climate change, it is the need of the hour to re-investigate the intercropping system as a mitigation and adaptation option to encounter the ill effects of climate change in agriculture. In this regard, an attempt has been made in the review article to evaluate the potential of the intercropping system as a water, energy, nutrient, carbon, and climate-smart technology that can facilitate in achieving some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) such as SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 15 (life on land).
... In the blueberry-soybean intercropping system, microbial community structure signi cantly differed between the BPS and HYS samples, with BPS exhibiting higher levels of bacteria α-diversity and lower levels of fungi α-diversity, which may be explained by plant genotype effects on belowground microorganisms (Park et al., 2023). Yang et al., 2021). Apple and peach trees, potatoes, broad beans, and other food crops can become infected with the potentially harmful bacteria Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Mucoromycota (Dai et al., 2015;Zhao et al., 2023). ...
Background and Aims
Current global population growth and agricultural land resource limitations have led to intensifying conflicts between grain and fruit production.
Methods
we designed a potted blueberry–soybean intercropping system to evaluate its impacts on crop yield, disease occurrence, and soil microbial community composition using survey statistics, high-throughput sequencing, and correlation analysis.
Results
The results demonstrate that the system is a feasible solution for obtaining additional soybean yield. Blueberry pot soil (BPS) sampled and rhizosphere soil sampled from intercropped Huayan 1 soybean plants (HYS) showed significantly higher fungal and bacterial diversity than control bulk soil (CK) with no cultivation history. Microbial communities and unique OTUs were differentially enriched in BPS and HYS, respectively, and the latter effect was more pronounced. pH, organic matter, and total N were the main factors driving soil chemistry-mediated microbial differences in the community between CK and both HYS and BPS. The significantly lower microbial abundance in BPS was likely related to N fixation, whereas significantly enriched bacteria in HYS were related to the N regulatory protein C protein family, N regulatory IIA and P-II2 proteins, N fixation regulation proteins, and other N-related functions (p< 0.05), indicating that blueberry–soybean intercropping significantly improves microbial function in the soil.
Conclusion
These findings demonstrate that intercropping system could improve the acidification of soil and reduce the depletion of soil functional microorganisms caused by continuous monoculture of blueberries. Intercropping could help coordinated development of grain and fruit production, particularly in regions facing both food shortages and limited arable land in the world.
... Other practices, such as rotational grazing practices, which allow pasturelands to rest and recover, and intercropping, where multiple crops are grown together, improve soil health by increasing the diversity of plant species, improve nutrient cycling, reduce soil erosion, and promote biodiversity conservation [127][128][129]. Integrating goats or sheep with cattle in agroecosystems through rotational grazing can improve pasture biodiversity and enhance the nutritional quality of forage for animals, reducing the risk of parasite and pathogen infestations [22,108]. ...
The role of small ruminant production in achieving sustainable and resilient food systems
in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is yet to be fully explored or incorporated into current
agroecological practices and policies. This review examines the principles and practices of agroecology,
focusing on circular food systems and the sociopolitical aspects of their implementation for small
ruminant production in LMICs. It discusses Gliessman’s five levels of agroecological transition and
eight principles for integrating small ruminant production into agroecology: input reduction, animal
health, soil health, biodiversity, recycling, synergy, economic diversification, and co-creation of knowledge.
The review highlights that, while there are differing interpretations in the scientific literature,
there is a growing consensus that agroecological practices applied to small ruminant production
have the potential to improve integration and self-sufficiency in farming systems, improve animal
health, reduce reliance on external inputs, and promote circularity and biodiversity. This reinforces
the view that agroecological approaches to small ruminant production can foster a sustainable and interconnected
system that strengthens the relationships between animals, plants, and the environment
and enhances circularity. To achieve successful implementation and widespread adoption of these
approaches, it is crucial to facilitate greater collaboration and cocreation of knowledge among small
ruminant farmers and stakeholders in the small ruminant livestock industry.
... Other practices, such as rotational grazing practices, which allow pasturelands to rest and recover, and intercropping, where multiple crops are grown together, improve soil health by increasing the diversity of plant species, improve nutrient cycling, reduce soil erosion, and promote biodiversity conservation [127][128][129]. Integrating goats or sheep with cattle in agroecosystems through rotational grazing can improve pasture biodiversity and enhance the nutritional quality of forage for animals, reducing the risk of parasite and pathogen infestations [22,108]. ...
... Crop diversification has proven to be beneficial for supporting agroecosystem multifunctionalities, such as yield stability, weed suppression, pest suppression, and nutrient cycling (Garland et al. 2021;Li et al. 2021a;Yang et al. 2021;Kumar et al. 2021). In intensified agroecosystems, horizontal crop diversification represented by a tall and short plant intercropping is often done in linear rows, raising the question of whether optimal row orientation would maximize the positive effects of plant-soil feedbacks (Cong et al. 2021;Midmore 1993). ...
Background and aims
Traditional intercropping of tall and short crops often maintain productivity at the expense of the fitness of the short crop due to planting orientation. There is a need to understand how light interception as influenced by row orientation, affects the vertical allocation of photosynthesized carbon, and how this impacts the rhizosphere microbiota of short crops. This understanding would allow for the optimization of aboveground design to utilize the belowground microbiota for plant and soil health in diversified cropping systems.
Methods
We manipulated the row orientation (east-west vs. north-south) of peanut and maize in a field and conducted simulated pot experiment where peanut plants were shaded. By using ¹³C tracer approach and DNA stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) method, we quantified C allocation by peanuts in its rhizosphere including the rhizosphere microorganisms. Moreover, by combining high-throughput sequencing and bacterial cultivation, we evaluated photosynthesized carbon driven the change of rhizosphere microbial composition and its interaction for fungal pathogen resistance.
Results
Field intercropping in the north-south orientation increased peanut photosynthetically active radiation to over two times compared to the east-west orientation. The higher light interception increased the relative abundance of photosynthesized carbon which selectively enriched the rhizosphere biomarker Burkholderia to effectively suppressed the pathogenic fungus Alternaria alstroemeriae.
Conclusion
North-south row orientation of peanut and maize intercropping can enhance the allocation of photosynthesized carbon in peanut rhizosphere by changing the light interception. The more photosynthesized carbon triggers the reshape of rhizosphere microbiota and induce beneficial Burkholderia to antagonize peanut pathogen to optimize peanut health.
... The demand for food continues to increase with the increasing population. Consequently, in order to efficiently utilize our current resources and reduce the incidence of weeds, pests, and diseases [3,4], soybean plants are often intercropped with corn or sorghum in some areas of south-west and west China [5]. Whether this pattern can produce higher yields depends on the compatibility of the growth habits, life spans, and management practices of the various crop species [6,7]. ...
The plant architecture of higher plants is regulated through environmental and genetic factors, as well as phytohormones. Phytohormones play a critical role in regulating shoot branching. We determined the branching phenotype of D16 and N99-6, the content of strigolactones, the genetic expression level, and the interaction between auxin and strigolactones. We found that the branching development of the two soybean varieties under shading was significantly slower than that under normal light. The average branch length of N99-6 decreased by 40.9% after shading; however, the branch length of D16 was not significantly affected. Meanwhile, the branch formation rate in D16 was significantly higher than in N99-6. In addition, after shading treatment, the content of strigolactones in D16 and N99-6 axillary buds increased significantly, and the expression of phytochrome genes, PhyA and PhyB, showed opposite changes. However, strigolactone synthesis gene GmMAX4 and signal transduction gene GmMAX2 expression levels of D16 were lower than those of N99-6 after 24 h of shading. In addition, the application of strigolactone inhibitor TIS108 and auxin inhibitor NPA to soybean had no significant effect on the branch phenotype. The expression of the GmMAX2 gene was significantly up-regulated after the external application of the auxin analog, and the expression of auxin transporter gene GmPINI was significantly down-regulated after external application of the strigolactone analog under shade. In this study, we investigated the adverse effect of shade on soybean branching development, which may be due to the interaction of strigolactones with auxins.
